The 158th Indiana Volunteer Infantry at Camp Poland

The following accounts of the 158th Indiana Volunteer Infantry in
Camp Poland, Tennessee during the Spanish American War appeared in the
Kmoxville Journal and Tribune.

The Articles:

August 27, 1898:

One Hundred and Fifty-Eighth Indiana

The only regiment to arrive from Camp Thomas yesterday was the One
Hundred and Fifty-Eighth Indiana, which reached Lonsdale in five sections
at 1:30 yesterday morning. Col. Smith, of the regiment, is commanding the
Second brigade and his headquarters formed one of the sections. The regiment
is in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Thayer.

Breaking camp shortly after noon Thursday the regiment marched
to Rossville, Where transportation was in waiting and lost no time in loading,
the job being completed in one hour and twenty minutes, the quickest time
yet made by any of the troops leaving Camp Thomas. Notwithstanding the
lateness of the hour the work of unloading and hauling the baggage and
equipage to the new camp ground at Lincoln park, was commenced at once
upon their arrival at Lonsdale.

Yesterday afternoon a Journal and Tribune representative found
every tent up and the men working hard building cook shanties, digging
sinks and clearing the ground of the leaves and rubbish. All were tired
and sleepy, but in good spirits, extremely pleased with their new location. Following is a roster of the field and staff officers of the
regiment with each gentlemanís home address:- Colonel Harry B. Smith, Indianapolis;
Lieutenant Colonel Edwin P. Thayer, Jr. Greenfield; First Lieutenant and
Adjutant Geo. W. Powell, Indianapolis; Quartermaster M.I. Hopkins, Indianapolis;
Chaplain G.A. Carstensen, Indianapolis; Surgeons-Captain Paul Barcus, Crawfordsville
and Lieutenant H.I. Jones, of Indianapolis; Majors W.S. Rich, Indianapolis;
H.T. Conde, Indianapolis; A.H. Skinner, Rochester.

The One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Indiana is an old national
guard regiment and was known in the state service as the second regiment.
Indiana national guard, but when mustered into the United States service
on May 10th, the number was changed to satisfy a whim of the state officials,
who desired that the new volunteer regiments from their state should be
numbered from the point left off at the civil war.

The Personnell of the officers of this regiment is interesting. Col.
Smith is auditor of Marion county, Indiana, and had been re-nominated by
the republican party for office. Lieutenant-Colonel Thayer is also the
republican nominee of his county (Hancock) for the office of auditor. The
balance of the officers, both of the field and staff are substantial business
men of their respective towns.

Adjutant Powell, who has been home on a seven days leave of
absence, joined the regiment here yesterday morning. He brought back with
him a prisoner in irons. The man is Private Oliver M. McCoy, of company
H, who deserted from the regiment several weeks ago. Lieutenant Powell
was formerly superintendent of police of Indianapolis, and with the aid
of his former associates, was able to locate his man without trouble. Several
men who had been home on furloughs and who were on their way back
to camp were overtaken at Cincinnati by Mr. Powell and notified of the
change in the location of the camp.

Colonel Smith has taken up his brigade headquarters at the
big brick house on the Scott homestead, near the camp.

The captain of company M recently resigned, which accounts
for First Lieutenant Wilhite being in command.

Captain Daly, of company F, is at his home in Winchester on
sick leave. He is suffering from rheumatism.

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